DIY | Greek Style Top and Cute Skirt

Posted by Whitney on May 16, 2012 in DiY | 4 comments

Alright Alright good people. This is by far one of my favorite DIYs, and you can achieve it without a sewing machine.

You will need:
1. Maxi Skirt OR Large, ill-fitting skirt
2. Safety pins (not stick pins)
3. Scissors
3. Needle and Thread OR Sewing Machine OR Stitch Witchery (For hemming edges)

Step 1:
Cut the skirt to the length you’d like. Just make sure you have enough for your top. Hem the bottom to give it a more refined look. You’re done with the skirt. Whoop!

Step 2:
Using the bottom half of the original skirt, open the split (if you have one) or one of the seams. If you have neither, cut open the skirt and make sure to hem those edges.

Step 3:
Using the panel of fabric you now have, pin two edges at your shoulder blade. The rest will drape around your lovely form. Take your other safety pins and pin the top to your liking. Get creative, just cover up those boobs.

You’re done!

—
Original Skirt: Grandma’s closet find
Leather Bracelet : Shop Freshly Given

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A Few Filtered Photos

Posted by Whitney on May 15, 2012 in Thoughts | 2 comments

Filtered photos. Instagram. Same thing.

Truth be told, Instagram is a great coverup for writers block and extreme busyness. I always find the time to snap a photo and upload to the ‘gram. And when I feel I’ve butchered my analytics, those filtered photos save the day.

Follow me on Instagram: @freshlygiven.
And then click over to my accesories sale which ends really soon: Shop.Freshlygiven.com

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Beachy-keen

Posted by Whitney on May 8, 2012 in Good Times | 2 comments

I think the sun gave me a slight 5 o’clock shadow. Which is what I get for angling my face wrong or was it Christene who missed spraying the sunblock on my upper lip. Christene! Beaches are usually packed with sun dwellers sporting misguided sun rays, especially…nevermind.

Oh how I dream of sand and the occasional jellyfish. And good people influencing me to get in freeeezing water. Christene!

By the way, Christene is wonderful, and oh so beautiful (see the last photo). I affectionately referred to her as “island girl”. We, and our men, had a great time tossing a football around small children and me missing balls, right and left. Not the norm, I promise, I was just off my game that day. I wonder if that’s why they stopped tossing me the ball? Hmm?

Many more dancing in the sand trips to come.

—-
Bathing suit : JCrew (killer sample sale buy)
Earrings: Shop Freshly Given

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Brainstorming in a Curtain

Posted by Whitney on May 1, 2012 in DiY | 4 comments

If you’re curious about my latest crazy idea, rest assure that I’m sane. I (and my cuzzo) just happen to find curtains appealing to wear these day. Perhaps street gawkers will think I’m trying to pull off the tribal trend with thicker fabric. Nope nope nope. I (and my cuzzo) simply found a $.63 sample of tapestry and my mind automatically thought DIY. If my Grandma’s window dressings are an indicator, these shorts will last forever.

For the rest of the day, I’m “sketching” in my curtain and perusing a few pattern-making books. The moleskin can act as my top since I neglected to shoot one in the photo.

Find the Lemon Yellow clutch and more in the Freshly Given Shop.

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Yes I’m Pinnin’

Posted by Whitney on Apr 27, 2012 in Thoughts | 0 comments

Do you remember those Dr. Scholl’s “Are you Gellin?” commercials? I’ve taken the time to find one if you’re in the dark. Bring that same terminology over and now I can answer, “Yeah I’m pinnin.”

Corny I know.

I realize Pinterest makes me that much cooler until something else comes out next week. In so many ways I have a lot of catching up to do. Not that I’m slow, I just eeeease into things. Read: quality pinning OVER duplicating another blogger’s blog. Pinning could definitely turn into that. To add to my list of needed upgrades, I do not own a smart phone and I am currently looking for a 35mm camera.

And you’re thinking… Get with it Whitney!

Find me also on:
Twitter
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Or subscribe to the blog (look to your right on the sidebar) ->

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Sunday Mosey Along

Posted by Whitney on Apr 20, 2012 in Good Times | 2 comments

Leisure walk down Gloria Ave.

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Pop Up Spring Sale…

Posted by Whitney on Apr 12, 2012 in Shop | 2 comments

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DIY | Top with Peplum

Posted by Whitney on Apr 7, 2012 in DiY | 4 comments

Shame on me for skipping out on the DIY fun. In my defense, I’ve been stacking up ideas but they’ve simply been tucked away, warm and comfy in the right hemisphere of my brain.

Naturally, I wanted to start back up with the idea that has been most nagging. I do love a woman in a peplum, and more so their ability to flatter the waist without revealing too much. I’ve watched them grace the hips of many screen gems on Turner Classic Movies. Plus the varieties are as vast as the women who wear them.

This tutorial shouldn’t take you long. It is pretty simple if you already have a top (or tee) you want to add some love to. (This tutorial can get you started) Hand-stitching is also an option if you have the endurance of a Titan. I, on the other hand, do not and pulled out the sewing machine.

…there’s more

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My First Stop Motion Animation

Posted by Whitney on Mar 30, 2012 in Creative Whims | 14 comments

These days emerging artist/start-up competitions are eating my time. By the mouth full. Since starting my accessory line at the end of last year, the idea of going full time Freshly Given is mmmm mmmm good.

I created the above stop motion animation to show my process of design for a competition I recently entered*. The great thing about wanting something really bad, is you find yourself doing things, good things, you’ve never attempted before. A sure tell sign that you love what you do. This being my first stop motion animation, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Comments welcome!

Music: I played around with James Brown “The Boss”

*Check-out thesmoffice for more details.

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From High Places

Posted by Whitney on Mar 26, 2012 in Good Times, Outfits | 2 comments

Somehow the idea of jumping from high places for the camera shots outweighed our personal safely. Blame it on the warm weather and grassy memory foam.

—
(DIY Shorts Tutorial)

Earrings: Shop Freshly Given

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1, 2, 3, You’re Out

Posted by Whitney on Mar 24, 2012 in Thoughts | 2 comments

Every week, I visit four precious little girls. I play “I’m the adult, listen to what I have to say” and hope they absorb all of my ‘grown-up’ talk. The more I sit with them, the more the roles reverse and they end up schooling me. The lesson: Old people are so uptight; just relax and play.

My girls, as I affectionately call them, started a game right in the middle of my speech. HaHa. And all I could do was capture the moment.

The sequence of wiggling toes says it all.

—
Make sure to Enter to WIN one of my Freshly Given Rings. [Deadline: Fri. March, 30]

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Giveaway: Something Pretty For You {CLOSED}

Posted by Whitney on Mar 20, 2012 in Giveaways, Shop | 27 comments

Because I love love love my readers, I decided to pick two.
Congratulations Gloria (aqua) and Sheila (golden yellow). I will email you two shortly.

Thank you all for participating. You can find these rings and more in my SHOP.freshlygiven.com.

Oh, There’s More: A new DIY Project coming next week, so make sure you stay connected: Twitter |  Facebook

Not that I don’t appreciate the blistering cold, but Spring is just my time of the year. The first hint of 70 degree weather and I’m wondering if it’s couth to run out in a bathing suit. Not far. Just long enough to fill my lungs with pollen.

These lil rosette rings are pollen free. That’s for sure. But maybe the occasional bee will sit with you just to ask where you found such a pretty flower.

If you appreciate handmade one of kind pieces, this is the giveaway for you.

Your Part:

- Leave a comment below with your color choice (Aqua or Golden Yellow) AND email address. Be kind, one entry per person please.

- Open to ALL

- Deadline: Friday, March 30th 11:59pm

For your own personal cool points: (these do not equal extra entries)

- Love me on Facebook

- Love me on Twitter

- Share this post with your friend and foe. (Just click the share buttons on the left sidebar)

- Subscribe to the blog. (See right sidebar)
—-

Find other handmade Freshly Given creations in my shop!

Happy Spring!

(orig. photo: Erika of ceohotog)

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